Low‐temperature properties of triglyceride‐based diesel fuels: Transesterified methyl esters and petroleum middle distillate/ester blends

Abstract

This work examines low-temperature properties of triglyceride-based alternate fuels for direct-injection compression-ignition engines. Methyl esters from transesterified soybean oil were studied as neat fuels and in blends with petroleum middle distillates (No. 1 or No. 2 diesel fuel). Admixed methyl esters composed of 5-30 vol% tallowate methyl esters in soyate methyl esters were also examined. Pour points, cloud points, and kinematic viscosities were measured; viscosities at cooler temperatures were studied to evaluate effects of sustained exposure. Low-temperature filterability studies were conducted in accordance with two standard methodologies. The North American standard was the low-temperature flow test (LTFT), and its European equivalent was the cold-filter plugging point (CFPP). With respect to cold-flow properties, blending methyl esters with middle distillates is limited to relatively low ester contents before the properties become preclusive. Under most conditions, cold41ow properties were not greatly affected by admixing the methyl esters with up to 30 vol% tallowate (before blending). Least squares analysis showed that both LTFT and CFPP of formulations containing at least 1 0 vol% methyl esters are linear functions of cloud point. In addition, statistical analysis of the LTFT data showed a strong 1:1 correlation between LTFT and CP. This result may prove crucial in efforts to improve low-temperature flow properties of alternate diesel fuels that contain methyl esters derived from triglycerides.JAOCS 72, 895-904 (1995).

Improving the Cold Flow Properties of Biodiesel by Fractionation

“…Results from the aforementioned cold flow property survey (Dunn & Moser, 2010) generally agreed with conclusions reported in earlier research studies (Dunn & Bagby, 1995 on developing approaches to reduce CP, PP, CFPP and LTFT of biodiesel. The main conclusion based on correlations shown in Eqns.…”

Selection of Prediction Methods for Thermophysical Properties for Process Modeling and Product Design of Biodiesel Manufacturing

“…86 Some studies have focused on developing empirical equations to predict the low-temperature flow properties of biodiesels. Dunn et al 42 found linear relationships between CP and PP and the blending ratio of methyl esters from soybean oil (SME) and tallow (TME). Tang et al 47 correlated CP and PP with the blend composition of biodiesels based on soybean oil (SBO), cottonseed oil (CSO), and poultry fat (PF) by empirical second-order polynomial equations.…”

Biodiesel: Source, Production, Composition, Properties and Its Benefits

“…Engine performance & the fuel consumption were favorable that make it better substitute to diesel fuel. The comparison of properties of vegetable oil biodiesels and standard specifications of diesel oil are given in Table 4 (49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54).…”